His proposal was received enthusiastically by others in the group, including George Washington.
At some point on July 8, probably at about 11 o'clock in the morning, the great bell in the State House steeple started pealing, calling citizens of Philadelphia to the public square for what was sure to be an important announcement.
The cornerstone was laid on Oct. 13, 1792, and the building was essentially completed in 1800, when John Adams and his family began to reside there in November.
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